HANCEVILLE – The Hanceville City Council on Thursday voted to close the city pool immediately. It also mulled changes to the City’s communication system and was introduced to the fire department’s newest tool.
Police Chief Bob Long gave an extended report on the recent escape and recapture of Justin McCoy Booth, and on the crash during the pursuit of him that sent Hanceville police officer Jason Hare to UAB Hospital. (See www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2018/01/26/hanceville-chief-gives-more-details-inmates-escape-officers-condition.)
City pool to close
The council voted to close Hanceville’s city pool immediately and begin the paperwork to demolish it. Last year, the City lost $35,000 on the pool, and it was facing $75,000 in repairs before the pool could open this summer. Adding to that price the ongoing costs of regular maintenance, personnel such as lifeguards, and the elevated liability insurance cost of a public pool, the council decided instead to pursue the construction of a splash pad at the same site.
According to Park Director Ashley Dye, a basic splash pad will cost $30,000-$35,000, plus the cost of concrete and site work. Councilman Charles Wilson noted that the total cost would not be far below the cost of repair to the existing pool, but Mayor Kenneth Nail and other council members countered with their own concerns about maintenance and other costs. In the end, the council voted to close the pool and look into splash pad options, with Wilson being the sole vote against the measure.
Since the pool was originally built under a state grant, the state will still have to approve its demolition and replacement.
Fire department trailer/relief station
Deputy Chief Bart Absher showed the council photos of a trailer purchased by Hanceville Fire Rescue for use as a mobile relief station by HFR personnel in the field during extended deployments. The trailer will be equipped with a generator, air conditioning, a restroom and other amenities; the power rear door that doubles as a vehicle ramp will allow firefighters to transport the department’s Gator inside. Absher said the trailer will see use during both lengthy emergency dispatches and community outreach events.
Other council business
A plan to replace the City’s current phone system with a new system by SmartFox Solutions of Decatur was tabled until a later meeting due to concerns about the cost of some parts of the company’s proposal. SmartFox already has a contract to provide computer and IT services to the City.
The council voted unanimously to pay $600 toward the cost of replacing a personal firearm stolen during the burglary of an HPD vehicle. Officer John Wayne Fore was on duty at the time, and his vehicle was locked at the time of the burglary; entry was gained by breaking a window. Chief Long pointed out that most HPD officers carry personal weapons, and that allowing them to do so saves the department a substantial amount of money. He also noted that the carrying of spare, back-up or special-use tactical weapons in vehicles while on duty is common for his officers.
The council voted to appoint all existing members of the city’s Historic Preservation Committee to serve as Hanceville’s Community Celebration Committee for the duration of the Alabama Bicentennial celebration which will run through Dec. 2019.
At the end of the regular meeting, the council members, Mayor Nail, and Chief Long entered into a closed-door executive session, saying only that the meeting was to discuss “possible litigation” related to “good name and character.”
The Hanceville City Council will meet next on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. with work session at 6. The public is welcome to attend.
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